Tips For Advancing Your Procurement Career

PurchTips edition #343

Can You Overcome These Common Obstacles To A Great Procurement Career?

Without certain characteristics, you may have a hard time advancing your procurement career. Many hiring managers have judgmental thoughts about procurement candidates who don’t seem to be “the complete package.” You must understand how these hiring managers think and how to overcome the obstacles to your dream procurement career.

What They Think: If you have a track record of success in procurement but no managerial experience, there’s a significant risk in assuming you’d be a good procurement manager.

What You Can Do: Leading a team through a procurement transformation takes different skills than running a sourcing process. And many managerial jobs require managerial experience. So, despite your good work, you may be turned down for procurement management positions. Volunteering can help. Coaching a youth baseball team and chairing a committee at a local chamber of commerce are just two examples of how to gain and demonstrate leadership acumen.

What They Think: Just because you have procurement experience, that doesn’t mean you’re a procurement expert.

What You Can Do: If you’ve been quoted in supply chain publications or have spoken at procurement conferences, your true expertise can be more universally recognized than those who haven’t. Actively pursue these opportunities!

What They Think: If you don’t have a procurement certification, you’re not serious about procurement.

What You Can Do: Procurement certifications usually require less of an investment of time and money than, say, a master’s degree but are significantly more focused on what you’ll be doing in the workplace. So, it’s hard to find a good reason not to earn your procurement certification. Show your ambition and get some credentials after your name!

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